WHEN THE FINGER OF GOD WRITES IT DOWN
All the Bible is the inspired Word of God, but there are specific times when Jehova wanted to make a very strong point.
3 times we find that God literally wrote with His own finger
I. LAW
Exo. 31:18
18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. (KJV)
The Ten Commandments
Sins which God will not put up with.
Not 10 suggestions, 10 rules that God established for His people. These are to be a pattern for our lives.
No other gods---We have a holy and jealous God.
Don't take His name in vain. That is more than just not cursing.
Keep Sunday holy. It is a day of rest.
Honour your parents---that is more than obeying them.
No killing.
No adultery. One night stands outside of marraige or taking anothers spouse for the long term.
Do not lie.
No stealing.
No coveting.
The law makes us conscious of sin. By it, we know what God hates and for what He will judge us.
II. JUDGMENT
Daniel 5:5,26
5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. (KJV)
26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. (KJV)
This king thought nothing of the law of God, thus God judged him.
IL.: The Bear and the Athiest
A man is out hunting and a bear comes up on him. He forgot to load his gun with ammo. The athiest is filled with fear and calls out to God, "Lord, if you really exist, please let this bear be a christian bear". All of a sudden the bear drops to his knees and starts praying, "Lord, I want to thank you for this meal that you have provided".
One cannot ignore the law of God and get away with it. Sooner of later, judgment will be your lot.
Ga. 6:7
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (KJV)
The Man who couldn't hide his sin.
A man went on a business trip. He invited a woman to his motel room and committed adultery. As she left late that night, he smiled to himself and thought, "well I got away with this one, no one will ever find out what I have done". The next morning he walked into the bathroom and saw a message on the mirror in red lipstick---Welcome to the world of Aids. You can run but you will never hide from God. He will judge sin and the sinner.
III. MERCY AND FORGIVENESS
John 8:3-11
This woman was guilty and caught in the very act. There were eyewitnesses.
It is interesting that the man was not brought in also. After all, it takes two to tangle. Rules of society and culture are not always fair.
She was forced to stand in front of all in this cruel "mock trial"
Possibly, she already knew who Jesus was.
The scribes and Pharisees were religous leaders who were known for being upholders of the law. Yes, their office was a good one, but these men were corrupt to the core. They were wrong in their motive. Their real plot was to discredit Jesus. This woman was only a tool that they hoped to use for their advantage. They were cold, hard hypocrites.
This woman had committed a sin of the flesh.
These men were sinning by their disposition.
Jesus hates all sin. It really seems that He is harder on the hypocrite in dealing with their trespasses. Probably because they are representatives of God.
These men already knew that Jesus would be on the side of mercy. So they were sure that this trap of theirs would ensnare Him.
They press Him to make a judgment to stone her or to let her go.
Jesus answers not a word at first.
He bends over and begins to write on the ground. Why?
1. He is ashamed of these religious leaders.
2. He seeks to spare this woman.
He does not give in easy with a YES or NO answer. Christ refuses to fall into their trap.
This was not the only time he gave a different type of answer other than yes or no.
With His disciples:
Lk. 13:23,24
23 ¶ Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, (KJV)
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (KJV)
Lk. 20:22-25
22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? (KJV)
23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? (KJV)
24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. (KJV)
25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. (KJV)
We shouldn't be too surprised when the Lord does not give us a straightforward answer either. Sometimes He just directs our attention to what should be obvious.
It is important to note that Jesus is just as interested in saving these misdirected religious leaders as He is in saving this woman.
Sometimes the words not said ring louder in our hearts more than what was audibly spoken.
Jesus writes a second time on the ground. What He wrote we do not know, but it was powerful enough to bring conviction to these men and shamed them into leaving without any further arguement.
One by one they all left. The only one reamaining was Jesus. For the first time in a long while, she felt a tinge of hope.
Though He was qualified to stone her, He chose mercy. He forgave her. I am not saying that she became born again at this moment, but it is clear that Jesus forgave her.
Her accusers were gone and Jesus chose not to condemn her. But He did give her the challenge to go and SIN NO MORE. The true evidence of her repentance would be if she turned away from her sins.
The only way out was for someone to die. Jesus put that to His own account. His death paid for the debt of that guilty woman also.
The finger of God writes powerful messages. What is He writing to you?
Romans 2:14-16
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: (KJV)
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) (KJV)
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. (KJV)
IV. Recompense and Reward
Then in Revelation 3:12 we see another time when God Himself is going to write again. He is going to write His name on the one who is an Overcomer in the last days.
